62 samples from Goa test negative for coronavirus

Panaji: A total of 62 samples have tested negative for the coronavirus (COVID-19), giving a sigh of relief to the government and people of Goa.

The samples were tested at the Pune-based National Institute of Virology
and the newly set up virology laboratory at the Goa Medical College and
Hospital.

Of the 62 samples, 48 were tested at the NIV; the report
of one sample is still awaited.

Twenty-seven patients suspected of having COVID-19 are
currently in the isolation ward of the GMC. The seven patients include three
new suspected cases of COVID-19 reported in the state on Thursday.

Till date, Goa has seen 105 suspected cases of the viral
virus.

On Thursday, 19 more passengers were placed under home
quarantine; around 961 people have isolated themselves at their homes in the
state.

At present, two persons have been quarantined at the
North Goa District Hospital, six at the sub-district hospital in Ponda, 49
persons have been quarantined at the Margao Residency and 18 people at the Old
Goa Residency.

Moreover, 17 people have been quarantined at Mayem Residency
and two persons at Sub District Hospital
Chicalim.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said
that two of the five patients who had tested positive earlier have now tested
negative for the deadly virus.

“Primary test of
two patients out of the five positive cases is negative. However, we are
waiting for the second test that will be done with a gap of 24 hours as per guidelines,” he
tweeted.